StigmaWhat is stigma?What is normal?How do we view people who are different than us?

People judge those with mental illness.How does TV portray those with mental illness?

Rejections, exclusions, hurt feelings arise from stigma. What else?

Stigma creates feelings of not wanting to seek help because fear of what people think.

This is the actual clip art that appears when you search for “crazy”

Watch Video I hereYou will be taken to a new window. Close the video window after viewing to return to this presentation.

Video I: DiscussionWhat do you see?How does he see himself?What stigma is going on here?Other things?

Mental Health vs. Mental IllnessMental Health Mental Illness“Normal”WellnessSaneIndependent

What Else?

What does a mentally healthy person look like?

“Abnormal”SicknessCrazyNeeds Help

What Else?

What does a person with a mental illness look like?

Thinking

Feeling

Acting

Watch Video II here

You will be taken to a new window. Close the video window after viewing to return to this presentation.

Video II: DiscussionWhat do you see?What is he thinking?How is he feeling?What are his behaviors?

How does he see himself?

What stigma is going on here?

Other things?

The Domino Effect

Watch Video III hereYou will be taken to a new window. Close the video window after viewing to return to this presentation.

Video III: DiscussionWhat do you see?What are the areas of her life that are being affected?In what ways?

What stigma is going on here?Other things?

Myths of Mental Illness I should be able to handle my mental health issues. Mental illness makes me weak, is something I created, and is

all my fault. People will think I am crazy if I get help from a professional. I can tell if someone has a mental illness – they look like

they do. People think I am dangerous or violent because of my mental

illness. People think that just because I have a mental illness that I

have been hospitalized, put in an insane asylum, or am homeless.

I was told that if I try hard enough, my mental illness will go away. I am just too weak to help myself.

Some problems are just a part of growing up. Depression, anxiety, etc. in children and adolescents is not a mental illness – it is just growing up.

People who talk about killing themselves rarely commit suicide. I don’t want to ask someone if they are suicidal, that might

just put the thought into their head. Mental illness can’t affect me.

Here are the Facts! Some mental health problems (e.g., mild anxiety, depression, etc.)

can be addressed with self-help, living a wellness lifestyle, etc. Similar to medical conditions, mental illness is not one’s fault! People do not choose to have a mental illness. People should not be embarrassed or shameful of their mental

illness, just like they should not have such feelings resulting from any other medical condition.

Just like a medical condition, people need to seek treatment in order to get better.

The earlier the treatment the better. Seeking help is a sign of strength – not weakness. Many individuals live with a mental illness without anyone knowing

it. Many people with a mental illness lead productive lives.

More…

Here are the Facts! Cont…

The rate of violence and dangerous behaviors among those with mental illness is not much different from the general population.

Over two-thirds of Americans with a mental illness live independent lives, in communities, and are productive contributors to society.

Only a small portion of people with mental illness are hospitalized; those who are typically are there for a short period of time.

Most mental illnesses cannot be willed away; no matter how hard one tries.

1 in 10 children and adolescents have a mental illness in the USA. Most people who commit suicide have given some verbal clue or

warning of their intentions. Asking someone directly about suicidal intent will often lower

anxiety and act as a deterrent to suicidal behavior. Mental illness is very common. Almost every family in the USA has

been affected by mental illness.

Watch Video IV here

You will be taken to a new window. Close the video window after viewing to return to this presentation.

Video IV: DiscussionWhat do you see?What is she thinking?How is she feeling?What are her behaviors?

How does she see herself?

What about suicide?How is she taking care of herself?

Other things?

Things to ConsiderHow do I help?What can I do to help?How can I empathize and not sympathize?

Where can I get help?What are my resources…

on campus?in the community?in my house or dorm?

Credits….Note: Actors are used in this curriculum to portray individuals with varying degrees of mental health issues. Such actors have training and experience in the mental health profession.

Curriculum Developer: Jason McGlothlin, Ph.D., PCC-S, Associate Professor,

Kent State University

Actor in Video I: Nyema Bedell Actor in Video II: Chad YatesActor in Video III: Terra HowellActor in Video IV: LeAnn Motley

The EndPlease fill out this

brief survey.